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Texas Tech is not a basketball team that’s demanded the attention of the casual basketball fan this season.

After Thursday’s thorough domination of Michigan in the Sweet 16, it can no longer be ignored.

The Red Raiders put on a defensive clinic unlike many seen before in the NCAA tournament in a 63-44 win to advance to the West regional final against Gonzaga.

In doing so, they held the Wolverines to an all-time tournament low of 16 points in the first half.

Coming in, the game promised to be a slog. Texas Tech entered the matchup ranked first in the nation in defensive efficiency with Michigan ranking third. Both teams trailed only Virginia in points per game allowed.

But one defense was clearly better than the other on Thursday, with Texas Tech staking its claim as a championship contender capable of shutting down any offense that stands in its way.

The Red Raiders held the Wolverines to their all-time low scoring output in NCAA tournament play, a mark that had stood since 1948 when they scored 45 against Holy Cross. In doing so, they held Michigan to 1-of-19 shooting from 3-point distance.

“I thought we guarded,” Texas Tech coach Chris Beard told CBS after the win. “Everybody was dialed in. We had so much respect for Michigan. I thought our guys defended at a high level today.”